Grateful thanks to Christine Smith for writing such a lyrical account of a late afternoon on the seashore in South Uist (Country diary, 20 November). It was a very necessary and comforting antidote to all the appalling happenings of recent days, and a cogent reminder of what we are likely to lose through global warming.
Ruth Baden
Seer Green, Buckinghamshire
• Gill Varndell (Letters, 19 November) reminded me that milk once came in bottles sealed with a cardboard disc. There was a preformed ring in the centre into which you pushed your finger to hook out the top. Washed and dried, the cardboard ring that remained was perfect for making bobbles!
Gill Jewell
Leeds
• The Guardian, like many of its rivals, is becoming a tad indigestible at the weekend, with too many cooks despoiling the news broth. Why not go the whole hog and provide a single-sheet news wraparound enclosing the all-important recipes?
Jennifer Rees
Cardiff
• There is no statutory requirement to include a standing charge in energy bills (Letters, 20 November). If you are a low user try Ebico, which also uses its profits to support those in fuel poverty.
Barbara Purvis
Winchester, Hampshire
• Reading the brief letters recently has certainly been an immersive experience.
Gareth Cox
London
• Courtesy call, anyone?
David Walker
Sheffield
• Join the debate – email guardian.letters@theguardian.com
